ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My girlfriend and I decided to break up. It was mutual. We both had our own grievances, and, in my opinion, we'd hit our peak. I don't think staying together any longer would've made a great difference for either of us. Things got complicated because we lived together in a two-bedroom apartment. To be amicable, I offered to take ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I've noticed that some mature women do not change how they apply makeup as they get older, which makes their maturing features begin to look, well, clownlike.

For instance, their lipstick may be too dark for their skin tone and may be applied beyond the natural vermilion line in an effort to give the lips a fuller appearance,...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm 28 and have been dating my boyfriend, "Marcus," for a little over a year. He's kind, funny, responsible -- and everyone in my life seems to adore him. The problem is, I don't think I'm in love with him.

I've been trying to figure out if it's just a rough patch or if I'm forcing something that's not there. There's no big issue;...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am twice divorced and recently celebrated my 61st birthday. I look pretty fantastic, and I'm in great health. My husbands were really great guys, and I have maintained positive relationships with both. My first marriage lasted 20 years; the second lasted 10. I have been flying solo for the last five years. I love my life and ...Read more

Dear Anna,

I've been with my partner for two-and-a-half years, and six months ago they came out to me as nonbinary. I want to be clear that I love them deeply and I'm so proud of them for sharing this with me — I know it took courage. They've asked me to use they/them pronouns, which I'm working on (though I still slip up sometimes), and they...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who has invited me to attend a Juneteenth event at our local museum. We often do cultural things together, so I'm down for going, but I feel uncomfortable because I have no idea what Juneteenth actually is. My hometown didn't celebrate this when I was growing up. Can you fill me in? -- Understanding History

DEAR ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter is turning 9 soon, and we will be having a small party with four of her closest friends. We are hosting the party at the clubhouse facility in our condo complex.

There is a fifth girl we know, "Kiara," who also lives in the complex, with whom my daughter sometimes plays. I consider her mom somewhat of a friend, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a co-worker, "Jenna," who I also considered a close friend -- until recently. We've worked together for five years, and we used to grab lunch, text outside of work, even double date with our spouses. A few months ago, she got promoted to a management role in our department. I was happy for her -- truly. But since then, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: In the four years my husband and I have been married, his distaste for the LGBTQ community has grown into a passion. He calls it immoral and unnatural. I've never tried to change his opinion, but because I don't enthusiastically agree with him, he is convinced I'm going to hell. He uses nearly every conversation as an opportunity to ...Read more

Admit it. You and I sigh for it. At times, we yearn for it. We dream of finding it embodied in one special person, discovering the real thing we crave. Everyone's always looking for it. We mask our yearning in a zillion different ways, but it comes down to hunger for the real thing.

But we can help make it appear in our lives. The very thought ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend is celebrating her son's first birthday soon! We are all excited to be there for him, but it seems like my friend left a few people off of her guest list -- my mom being one of those people. We have been best friends since we were 13. Our parents are close, and my mom is always there to support her for special occasions...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a Ph.D. student in a college town where the local public bus also serves as the campus bus, and students get free fare. As a result, it is often very crowded, mostly with undergrads.

At my advanced age of 30, I have learned (or at least thought I'd learned) that on a very crowded bus, it is accepted practice to get off ...Read more

Dear Annie: After 45 years of marriage to a man who has no hobbies, no real friends of his own and little interest in life outside of his routine, I'm struggling with a mix of guilt, resentment and sadness.

For decades, I lived under his controlling ways -- so much so that when I finally started doing things for myself, I felt guilty for not ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My ex-husband was found dead in his home three months ago. He was a bitter man who never forgave me for leaving him. We were divorced for 30 years before his death and have two children and four beautiful grandchildren. For years, he bitterly complained to our children and refused to attend special events because I left him. When ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister is trying to become a content creator. While I want to support her dreams, it's starting to take a toll on our relationship. Every time we spend time together, whether it's getting coffee, going on a walk or just hanging out at home, it somehow turns into a content production day. She's constantly filming, taking ...Read more